Detection methods at reactor neutrino experiments

Abstract In 2011 and 2012, the smallest neutrino mixing angle θ 13 was determined to be unexpected large by reactor neutrino experiments Daya Bay, Double Chooz, and RENO, and accelerator experiments T2K and MINOS. The most precise measurement is sin 2 2 θ 13 = 0.089 ± 0.010 ( stat . ) ± 0.005 ( syst . ) , provided by Daya Bay. The measurement of θ 13 opened the gateway to the mass hierarchy and CP phase measurements. It also marked the beginning of precision measurements in neutrino studies. With near-far relative measurement and improvements in detector design, the relative precision of neutrino detectors reached 0.2%. Detection methods for reactor neutrinos are reviewed. The highlighted techniques include gadolinium-doped liquid scintillator, three-layer detectors, functionally identical detectors, reflective panel, background shielding, etc. The next generation reactor neutrino experiment Daya Bay II and its technical challenges are briefly described.

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